Blank cutting and feeding means for paper cup machines



June 16, 1942- M. HARVEY 2,286,541:

BLANK CUTTING AND FEEDING MEANS FOR PAPER CUP MACHINES Filed Oct. 16,1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l 'June 16, 1942. L. M. HARVEY BLANK CUTTING ANDFEEDING MEANS FOR PAPER CUP MACHINES Filed Oct. 16, 1940 3 Sheets-$heet2 June 16, 1942., L. M. HARVEY 2,236,541

BLANK CUTTING AND FEEDING MEANS FOR PAPER CUP MACHINES Filed Oct. 16,1940 s Sheets-Sheet s A'WM Patented June 16, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFIE BLANK CUTTING AND- FEEDING MEANS FOR PAPER CUP MACHINES 1 14Claims.

This invention relates to equipment for forming and shaping articles ofpaper and the like and relates more particularly to amechanism forsupplying or feeding the paper material to a paper cup forming machine.A general object of this invention is to provide a practical, effectiveand dependable means for automatically cutting the paper cup blanks andfor feeding the blanks between the dies of the cup making machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a blank cutting andfeeding means suitable for use on cup making machines of the characterdescribed and claimed in the United States Letters Patent No. 2,215,698,granted to me September 24, 1940. V

Another object of this invention is to provide a blank forming andfeeding means for a paper cup machine which continuously draws a web ofpaper from a paper roll, automatically cuts the web into disc-shaped cupblanks and feeds the blanks between the dies of the cup forming machinein synchronism with the die action.

Another object of this invention is to provide a blank cutting andfeeding mechanism embodying a novel and particularly efficient,continuousrocating die elements without interference by the icontinuously moving paper being cut at the cutting means.

A further object of this invention is to provide a blank cutting andfeeding means for a paper cup machine which operates continuously andautomatically without the attention of an attendant. The cutting andfeeding means of the present invention is entirely automatic and onlyrequires attention when the large paper supply roll becomes exhausted.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of a typicalpreferred form and application of the invention, throughout whichdescription reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical detailed sectional view of the mechanism of thepresent invention and the adjacent parts of the cup machine. Fig. 2 isan enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the cutting and blankadvancing means with the adjacent movable fluting die appearing inbroken lines, illustrating the manner in which the scrap paper isremoved and the manner in which the advancing blank material may rideover the cut blank. Fig. 3 is a horizontal detailed sectional view takensubstantially as indicated by line 33 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlargedfragmentaryvertical detailed sectional view taken substantially asindicated by line 4--4 on Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 is a stretch out ordevelopment of the cutter roller.

The blank cutting and feeding mechanism of the present invention isadapted for use in connection with shaping or forming machines ofvarious kinds and may be modified to some extent to adapt it for use indifferent situations and in connection with different machines. In thedrawings I have illustrated the mechanism of the invention in connectionwith a paper cup forming machine of the character disclosed in my issuedpatent referred to above. It is to be understood that the invention isnot to be construed as limited or restricted tothis particular form andapplication of the invention but is to be taken as including anyfeatures and modifications that may fall within the scope of the claims.

The portion of the cup forming machine illustrated in the drawingscomprises a frame l0 supporting and housing the various machine elements'. A pair of spaced horizontal shafts II is provided in the frame10 and carries mating cams I! for operating and timing the various dies,etc. of the machine. The shafts H are continuously operated or drivenwhen the machine is in operation. The cup shaping mechanism includes astationary fiuting die l3 and a movable fluting die l4 below and alignedwith the die [3. Male and female shaping dies i5 and I6 telescope withinor extend through the dies l3 and M, respectively. The margin of theshiftable flute forming die M has a horizontal fiat table part I! forthe reception of the cup blank. Spaced upstanding pins l8 are providedon the table part I! to center or locate the cup blanks on the axis ofthe die assembly. An annular series of rods I9 is shiftably guided inopenings 20 and are provided at their upper ends with weights 2|. Therods [9 project downwardly around the stationary die l3 and are engagedby the paper blank as the die l4 moves upwardly, serving to maintain theblank in position and to assist in the fiuting operation.

The dies l3 and M are spaced one above the other as illustrated in Fig.1 before each cup shaping operation and the blank cutting and feedingmeans of the invention serves to introduce a paper blank between thedies l3 and I4 immediately preceding the cycle of operations of the diesl3, I4, [5 and IS. The present invention is not primarily concerned withthe details of the dies, the die operating means, etc. and reference ishereby made to my above-identified issue-d patent for a full disclosureof such elements.

The improved blank forming and feeding means of the invention may besaid to comprise, generally, a supporting means or body 22, a papersupply 23, means 24 for continuously drawing paper from the supply 23and for cutting it into cup blanks B, and means 25 for conveying orshifting the blanks B to the dies [4 and 15.

The body 22 serves to carry the various elements of the mechanism. Inthe particular case illustrated the body 22 is a channel-like memberhaving a lower wall 26 and two side walls 21 extending upwardly from thelower wall. Flanges 28 on the upper edges of the side walls 21 may bebolted to the machine frame I 8 to mount the equipment. A substantiallyhorizontal shelf or table 29 is spaced above the lower body wall 26. Thetable 29 may be supported by angle irons 39 fixed to the side walls 21.The table 29 is positioned to be in the horizontal plane occupied by thedie part ll when the die [4 is in position to start the cup formingoperations. As best illustrated in Fig. 1 the inner edge of the table 29is at or immediately adjacent the edge of the die part I! and the outeredge of the table is spaced inwardly from the outer side of the body 22.

The paper supply 23 is adapted to carry a, large quantity of paper andis such that the means 24 may continuously feed, draw or advance thestrip or web or paper P. The paper supply 23 may comprise a pair ofhorizontally spaced brackets 3| mounted on the frame of the machine. Thebrackets 3| project upwardly and outwardly and their upper ends havenotches 32 for receiving a shaft 33. ably carries a supply roll R of thepaper web. There may be a continuous web or strip of waxed paper orpaper cut material wound in the roll R. The roll R is arranged so thatthe paper P passes from its inner side to the cutting and feeding means24. Means is provided for tensioning the paper P and for directing thepaper to the means 24 in the most advantageous manner. ing arms 34 arepivotally carried by the shaft 33 and project toward the machine. Aroller 35 is rotatably carried between the spaced arms 34 to beardownwardly on the paper P between the roll R and the means 24. Tensionsprings 36 are connected between the brackets 3! and'the arms 34 to urgethe arms downwardly. The springs 36 maintain a suitable tension on thepaper P. The roller 35 bearing downwardly on the paper P causes thepaper to pass substantially vertically to the means 24.

The means 24 operates to continuously draw or advance the paper P fromthe supply roll R and to cut the paper into the disc-shaped cup blanksB. The means 24 includes a, cutting roller 3! and an abutment roller 38.The rollers 31 and 38 are fixed to vertically spaced horizontal shafts39, which in turn are rotatably carried by suitable bearings 49 on theside walls 21. The axes of the shafts 39 occupy a common vertical planelocated beyond the outer edge of the table 29. The cutting roller 31 andthe abutment roll- The shaft 33 turnably or rotat- Tension- I er 38 areboth positively driven at a, given or predetermined speed or speedsrelative to the speed of operation of the machine to advance the paper Pand cut the blanks B at the correct rate. In the constructionillustrated there is a chain and sprocket drive 4| between one of thecam shafts H and the shaft 39 of the abutment roller 38 and a gear drive42 is provided between the two shafts 39 to rotate the rollers 31 and 38at the same speed. The abutment roller 38 is formed of a hard material,such as steel, or th like. The

feedin and cutting roller 31 has a body 43 of rigid or unyieldingmaterial.

A knife or cutter 44 is provided on the body 43 of the roller 31. Thecutter 44 is shaped to give the blanks B the desired configuration. Inthe embodiment of the invention illustrated the knife 44 is in the formof a developed circle on the cylindrical periphery of the roller body 43operable to form or cut disc-shaped blanks B. As illustrated in Fig. 5the knife or cutter 44 extends completely around the roller body 43 andis formed to have, what may be termed diametrically opposite peripheralportions merge at a point or line 45. The base of the cutter or knife 44may be embedded in the roller body 43 and the knife is fixed to theroller body. The cutting edge of the cutter 44 is bevelled or of Vformation. The knife 44 has accurate co-action with the abutment roller38. The roller 38 has a truly cylindrical periphery ground or finishedto cooperate with the edge of the cutter 44 in such a way that thecutter completely cuts through the paper P throughout the extent of itscurved edge. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the knifeor cutter 44 cooperates with the abutment roller 38 in a horizontalplane adjacent to and slightly above the plane of the table 29.

In accordance with the invention the cutter roller 31 embodies a layeror shell 46 of compressible resilient material to assure the fulleffective advancement of the paper P and blanks B, to dependably clearthe paper of the cutter 44 and to eject the out paper blanks B and paperscraps S. The shell 46 is formed of rubber, synthetic rubber, rubbercompositions, or the like, having substantial resiliency andcompressibility and having desirable limited adherence to the paper P.The shell 46 may cover the periphery of the roller body 43. Thethickness of the shell 46 is such that the shell protrudes beyond thecutting edge of the cutter 44 so that the shell is compressed throughcontact with the abutment roller 38. As best illustrated in Fig. 2 ofthe drawings, the paper P from the supply roll R is tightly held againsta considerable portion of the rubber shell 49 to be effectively advancedand the paper is tightly gripped between the abutment roller 38 and thecompressed resilient shell 46 to be positively advanced by rotation ofthe rollers 31 and 38. The surface of the shell 43 may be finished tohave effective traction or advancing engagement with the paper P.

The action of the shell 46 in freeing or clearing the paper from thecutter 44 is important. The shell 46 is compressed below or beyond theedge of the cutter 44 by the abutment roller 38 at the point or pointsof engagement of the cutter with the roller 38, this compression of theshell below the knife edge being due to the paper P which is receivedbetween the shell and the rigid abutment roller 38. As the knifeportions and the shell 46 leave the abutment roller 38, by reason of therotation of the rollers, the resilient shell returns to its originalshape and diameter. This expansion or restoration of the resilient shell46 forces the paper outwardly out of cooperation with the cutter 44,thus fully freeing or clearing the paper from the cutter. The rubbershell 45 also operates to push or advance the cut blanks B and paperscraps S forwardly from between the rollers 31 and 38 as the paper iscut.

The invention provides novel means for handling and directing the paperblanks B and the cuttings or scraps S so that they do not pile up orinterfere with the continuous cutting action. The resilient shell 46 isreduced in thickness from the line of jcinder 45 of the knife 44forwardly some distance to a line such as 48 in Fig. 5. This leaves theadvancing side of the knife 44 exposed at the line 45 and this portionof the knife acts as an advancing or feeding shoulder. The exposedportion of the knife 44 at and adjacent the line 45 pushes the freedblank B forwardly as the blank leaves the rollers 31 and 38. Fig. 2 ofthe drawings illustrates this action of the exposed knife 4d at the line45. As shown in this figure the face of the shell 46 immediately behindthe line 55 of the knife 44 constitutes an extension of the abovementioned shoulder so that the knife 5 and this shoulder portion of theshell 15 may both act in pushing or shifting the blank B forwardly frombetween the rollers.

A yoke or bridge 49 is secured to the opposite side walls El and extendshorizontally over the table in spaced relation to the table surface. Asubstantially central spring finger 50 is secured to the bridge 39 andprojects toward the rollers El and The spring finger 50 is curveddownwardly and toward the rollers 3! and 38 and is then curved upwardlyto have its outer end adjacent and opposing the periphery of theabutment roller 58. The finger 55 thus presents a curved surface whichis engageable by the advancing edge of the cup blank B as the blankmoves from between the rollers 31 and 38. The spring finger B directsthe blank B downwardly to move across the fiat face of the table 29 andprevents the blank from buckling or curling at its center.

The means for clearing and removing the paper cuttin s or scraps Scomprises spring fingers 5| projecting upwardly through slots 52 in thetable 2s. The slots 52 are formed adjacent the opposite side edges ofthe table 29 adjacent or in front of the rollers 31 and 33. The springfingers 5| may be attached'to blocks 53 on the under side 5i curvedownwardly to extend through the slots 52 to project above the surfaceof the table The forward or free ends of the spring fingers 5i curvedownwardly to extend through the slots 52 so that they are not engagedby the advancing paper. The substantially triangular paper cuttings orscraps S ride up on the fingers 5i they leave the rollers 3'! and 38 andare thus cleared of the blanks B which are directed downwardly by thecentrally disposed finger 59 to ride across the face of the table 29. Itis to be observed that the merging portion of the cutter 44 at the pointor line 45 provides for the formation of separate or distinct scraps Sbetween the adjacent portions of the blanks B. Further, it is to beobserved that the width of the paper P is slightly less than thediameter of the cutter or knife 46 leaving short straight edges E on theblanks B and assuring the complete separation of the scraps S which areproduced during the successive cutting operations.

separate scraps S are readily cleared and removed.

Suitable means may be provided for removing the paper scraps S from thetable 29. The body 22 may carry hoppers 54 provided with chutes 55opening upwardly at each side of the table 29. Air jets 56 are providedabove the table 29 and are directed downwardly and outwardly to blow thefreed cuttings or scraps S into the chutes 55. Air under pressure iscontinuously supplied to the jets 55 by an air line 51. The jets 56 arearranged and directed so that the air streams do not interfere with orshift the cup blanks B. The blank conveying or advancing means operatesto quickly shift the finished blanks B to the correct positions betweenthe dies l3 and i4 during the short cycle period during which the diesare separated before initiating their cup fiuting or forming operations.The means 25 includes a shaft 58 arranged below the table 29 adjacentthe inner edge of the table.

shaft 58 is rotatably carried by suitable bearings These entirely 59 inthe side walls 21 and is continuously positively driven. In accordancewith the invention the shaft 58 is' rotated at a faster rate than therollers 57 and 538. Any suitable means'may be provided for driving theshaft 58. In the case illustrated there is a speed increasing gear train61] between the shaft 39 of the roller 31 and the shaft 58. A pair ofblank advancing wheels or rollers 5| is provided on the shaft 58, seeFig. 4. The rollers 6| may be secured to or may be parts of a common hub62 which in turn is fixed to the shaft 58. portions of the rollers 6|are received by slots 63 in the table 29. The peripheries of the wheelsor rollers iii are concaved or provided with rounded grooves 64. p

The means 25 further includes wheels or rollers 65 for co-acting withthe rollers 6| at certain operation periods to cause the rapidadvancement of the cup blanks B to their positions between the dies E3and [4. The rollers 65 are carried by a lever arm 55 disposed above thetable 25. A shaft 61 on the lower end of the arm 56 supports the rollers55 for free rota tion. The peripheries of the rollers have roundedridges 58 which conform to the grooves 64 in the rollers 5!. When thearm 66 is in its down or operative position the ridges 58 extend throughthe slots 65 and co-act with the grooves 54 in the continuously rotatingrollers Bl to produce sudden positive advancement of the cup blank B andto corrugate or groove the blank along spaced parallel lines to preventthe central portion of the blank from bulging or buckling.

A detent or gravity stop finger 69 may be hinged or pivoted to the arm86 to assist in holding the cup blanks B down upon the table 29 and toprevent the blanks from prematurely travelling beyond the intermediateblank position. A pivot pin 75 may secure the finger 59 to the arm 56 sothat the finger is free to hang from the arm. The finger (it is spacedbetween the rollers 55 and extends downwardly and forwardly relative tothe movement of the blanks B. The lower portion of the finger 59 issmooth and rounded to effectively direct and stop the blanks B. Thedetent finger 59 may be made quite heavy so that its weight issufiicient to stop the blanks B as required.

Cam means is provided for operating the roller arm 65 in timed relationto the cup forming machine. The outer or upper end of the arm The I Theperipheral 68 is fixed to a horizontal shaft 12 turnably carried insuitable bearings 12 in the side walls 21. A split or divided arm 13 isfixed to the shaft adjacent one of the side walls 21. A cam roller i4 isrotatably mounted in the lower portion of the arm 13. A disc cam 15 isfixed to the abutment roller 38 at one end of the roller and isengageable by the wheel or roller 14. The surface of the cam 15 is plainand cylindrical except for a depressed or flat face 18. The engagementof the roller 14 with the cylindrical surface of the cam 15 holds thearm 66 in a position where the rollers 85 are above and clear of theblank B on the table 29. When the surface 16 reaches the roller 14 thearm 66 is free to swing downwardly so that the rollers 65 engage theblank B and co-act with the rollers 6|. A spring 11 is attached to anarm I8 fixed to the shaft H to urge the arm 66 downwardly when the camroller 14 is in cooperation with the surface 16. The spring TI urges thearm 66 downwardly with sufficient force to cause the co-acting rollers8| and 65 to positively advance the blank B and to press or form theridges in the blank. When the cam surface l6 leaves the roller 14 thearm 68 is again raised to clear the rollers 65 so that the next blank Bis free to pass under them for engagement by the gravity finger 69 only.The rotative position of the cam face 16 and the extent of the cam face16 are such that the rollers 6| and 65 co-act to quickly shift the cupblank B from the table 29 to the position between the dies I3 and I4during the short period when the dies are separated prior to the initialcup shaping die action and the movement of the blank brings the edge ofthe blank against the centering or locating pins I8.

The means further includes a supplemental blank advancing means whichimparts a final positive movement to the blank B to assure its properpositioning between the dies I3 and M. This means includes a horizontalshaft 19 spaced above the inner part of the table 29 and turnablycarried in suitable bearings 89 on the side walls 21. A pair ofhorizontally spaced depending blank advancing fingers 8| is fixed to theshaft 19. The fingers 8| may b fixed to the shaft l9 by suitable collars82. The finger 8| project downwardly and away from the die assembly ateach side of the arm 66, when in their normal inoperative positions, andthe lower ends of the fingers are normally above and clear of the table29. Cam means is provided for operating the fingers 8| toward the dieassembly during the cyclic period when the blank B is moving onto thedie part IT. The fingers 8| are proportioned to engage the trailing edgeof the blank B as the blank is moving between the dies I3 and I4 andslots 83 are provided in the table 29 to receive the lower parts of thefingers when the fingers are in operation.

The cam means for operating the fingers 8| includes a lever arm 84 fixedto a collar 82 and a link 85 pivotally connected with the lever arm 84.A shaft 86 is spaced above the roller 38 and is turnably carried bysuitable bearings on the side walls 21. A crank arm 81 is fixed to theshaft 88 and the link 85 is pivotally connected with the arm 81. Asecond crank arm 88 is fixed to the shaft 86 and carries a cam roller89. A disc-like cam 98 is fixed to the abutment roller 88 to cooperatewith the roller 89. The cam 99 may be adjacent the cam '15 and has aplain cylindrical surface except for a depression 9|.

When the depression 9| reaches the roller 89 the fingers 8| are free toswing downwardly and toward the die structure. Spring means is providedfor actuating the fingers 8| when released as just described. Thesprings 11, described above, may be connected with an arm 93 on the arin84 to actuate the fingers 8|. The position and extent of the depression9| are such that the fingers 8| are actuated to impart a final positivemovement to the blank B, advanced onto the die part I! by the rollers BIand 65, this final movement being sufiicient to engage the blank againstthe centering pins I8. It is to be understood that the advancement ofthe blank B between the dies I3 and M by the rollers 6| and and by thefingers 8| is quite rapid.

The feed means 25 just described may be timed so that there is little orno interruption in the advancement of the blanks B after the blanks havebeen cut clear. Thus the out blanks B may be pulled ahead to the cupshaping position immediately reducing or eliminating the possibility ofblank interference between the cutting means 28 and the cup shapingdies.

It is believed that the operation of the blank forming and feedingmechanism of the invention will be readily understood from the foregoingdetailed description. With the cup forming machine in operation therollers 31 and 38 are continuously rotated so that the paper P iscontinuously drawn from the supply roll R. The knife or cutter 44 on thecontinuously rotating roller 31 successively forms or cuts the blanks Bwhich are fed and directed onto the table 29 by the action of theresilient shell 46 and the finger 5|, all as above described. The means25 operates in synchronism with the blank cutting means 24 and insynchronism with the cup forming machine so that the rollers 6| and B5and the fingers 8| advance the cut blanks B to centralized positionsbetween the dies l3 and I4 during the period when the dies are separatedbefore coacting to flute the blank. The mechanism is entirely automaticin operation and does not require attention. The paper P is easilytrained through the mechanism when a new supply roll R, is installed andthis is the only conditioning or attention required.

Having described only a typical preferre form and application of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variationsor modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fallwithin the scope of the following claims,

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a mechanism of the character described, an abutment element, arotatable roller, a cutter on the roller adapted to coact with theabutment element to cut blanks from sheet material, and a resilientcompressible layer on the roller engaged against the opposite sides ofthe cutter and of sufiicient thickness to be compressed through contactwith the abutment element and operable through its resiliency to freethe blanks from the cutter as the cutter moves out of coaction with theabutment element, said layer having a portion of reduced thickness at apart of the cutter providing a shoulder which pushes the blanks awayfrom the roller as formed.

2. A feed for a paper cup machine having a supply web of sheet materialand cup shaping dies spaced apart prior to actuation, comprising meansfor continuously drawing the web from the supply and cutting the webinto cup blanks,

and intermittently operating means for inserting the blanks between thedies.

3. A feed for a paper cup machine having a supply of paper in strip formand having cup shaping dies spaced apart prior to actuation andthereafter performing cup-shaping operations and returning to theirspaced apart relation, the feed comprising continuously operating meansfor withdrawing the paper strip from the supply and. cutting cup blankstherefrom, and intermittently operating means for introducing saidblanks between the dies prior to their operation.

4. A feed for a paper cup machine having cup shaping dies spaced apartprior to actuation and thereafter performing cup-shaping operations andreturning to their spaced apart relation, the feed comprising means forsupporting a supply of paper in strip form, means for drawing the paperfrom the supply and for cutting cup blanks therefrom including a pair ofcontinuously rotating rollers between which the paper is trained, acutter on one roller coacting with the other roller to cut said blanks,and means for rotating the rollers, and intermittently operatingconveyor means for shifting said blanks between the dies.

5. A feed for a paper cup machine having a supply of paper in strip formand having cu-p shaping dies spaced apart prior to actuation andthereafter performing cup-shaping operations and returning to theirspaced apart relation, the

feed comprising means for drawing the paper from the supply and forcutting cup blanks therefrom including a pair of rotatable rollersbetween which the paper is trained, a cutter on one roller coacting withthe other roller to out said blanks, a compressible resilient layer onthe first named roller compressed through contact with said other rollerand operating by its resiliency to free the blanks from the cutter asthe cutter turns away from said other roller, and means for continuouslyrotating the rollers, and conveyor means for shifting said blanksbetween the dies.

6. A feed for a paper cup machine having cup shaping dies spaced apartprior to actuation and thereafter performing cup-shaping operations andreturning to their spaced apart relation, the feed comprising means forsupporting a supply of paper in strip form, means for drawing the paperfrom the supply and for cutting cup blanks therefrom including a pair ofrotatable rollers between which the paper is trained, a cutter on oneroller coacting with the other roller to out said blanks, and means forcontinuously rotating the rollers, and conveyor means for shifting saidblanks between the dies, the conveyor means including a rotatingconveyor wheel at one side of the blank leaving the rollers, a shiftableidler wheel at the other side of the blank, and means for shifting theidler wheel against the blank so that the blank is engaged between thewheels and advanced thereby.

7. A feed for a paper cup machine having cup shaping dies spaced apartprior to actuation and thereafter performing cup-shaping operations andreturning to their spaced apart relation and having means for cuttingcup blanks, the feed including a rotating conveyor wheel at one side ofthe blank leaving the cutting means, a shiftable idler wheel at theother side of the blank, and means for shifting the idler wheel againstthe blank so that the blank is engaged between the wheels and advancedthereby, one wheel having a groove and the other having a ridge wherebythe blank is provided with a ridge as it is fed to the dies.

8. A feed for a paper cup machine having cup shaping dies spaced apartprior to actuation and thereafter performing cup-shaping operations andreturning to their spaced apart relation and having rotatable rollersfor drawing paper from a supply and for cutting cup blanks therefrom,the feed comprising a wheel positioned to be at one side of the blankswhich leave the rollers, means for rotating the Wheel at a faster ratethan the rollers, a shiftable idler wheel at the other side of theblanks, and means for moving the idler wheel into and out of engagementwith the blanks whereby the wheels coact to advance the blanks.

9. A feed for a paper cup machine having cup shaping dies spaced apartprior to actuation and thereafter performing cup-shaping operations andreturning to their spaced apart relation and having rollers for drawingpaper from a supply and for cutting cup blanks therefrom, the feedcomprising intermittently coacting rotatable wheels for acting on theblanks after they leave the rollers and shifting the blanks between thedies, and swinging finger means for completing the advancement of theblanks.

10. A feed for a paper cup machine having cup shaping dies spaced apartprior to actuation and means for cutting the cup blanks, said feedincluding a table for receiving the blanks as they leave the cuttingmeans, the table having an opening, a continuously rotating conveyorwheel under the opening, a swinging arm above the table, a wheel on thearm normally clear of the table and blanks, and means for swinging thearm down against the blanks whereby the blanks are gripped between thewheels to be shifted between the dies thereby.

11. In a machine of the character described having a blank cutting meansand die means, the combination of, a table for receiving the blanks fromthe cutting means, two rollers, one above the table, the other below theface of the table, means for rotating one of the rollers, meanssupporting the other roller for movement toward and away from therotating roller, and means for moving the movable roller into and out ofengagement with the blanks so that the coacting rollers advance theblanks from the cutting means to the die means.

12. In a machine of the character described having a blank cutting meansand die means, the combination of, a table for receiving the blanks fromthe cutting means, the table having an opening, a rotating wheel belowsaid opening, a swinging arm above the table, a rotatable wheel on thearm, and means for swinging the arm to bring the last named wheelagainst the blanks over the opening so that the Wheels coact to advancethe blanks from the cutting means to the die means.

13. In a machine of the character described having a blank cutting meansand die means, the combination of, a table for receiving the blanks fromthe cutting means, two rollers, one above the table, the other below theface of the table, means for rotating one of the rollers, meanssupporting the other roller for movement toward and away from therotating roller, means for moving the movable roller into and out ofengagement with the blanks so that the coacting rollers advance theblanks from the cutting means to the die means, and a swinging fingermeans above the table for acting on the blanks to complete theiradvancement into the die means.

14. In a machine of the character described having a blank cutting meansand die means, the combination of, a table for receiving the blanks fromthe cutting means, the table having an opening, a rotating wheel belowsaid opening, a swinging arm above the table, a rotatable wheel on thearm, means for swinging the arm to bring the last named wheel againstthe blanks over the opening so that the wheels coact to advance theblanks from the cutting means to the die means, and a gravity finger onthe arm for holding the blanks against the table.

LEO M. HARVEY.

